Caramelized Pears with Egg Nog Ice Cream

This December, I wanted to do something fun for you this holiday season that not only keeps you eating good, but feeling good too.

So, I created a Fiber Advent Calendar that you can download and follow for the next 25 days…

My goal with this is to have you try to incorporate a different source of fiber each day. From fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains — this is your ultimate way to learn that eating different sources of fiber each day is possible AND easy.

Each day of the month I’ll also be posting a recipe on my social media using the fiber source of the day. This way you can see how your favorite gut health RD would actually use these ingredients in real life — simple, flavorful, and totally doable even during the busiest time of year.

My hope is that by the end of these 25 days, you’ll not only hit your fiber goals without overthinking it, but you’ll also feel more confident, creative, and inspired in the kitchen.

Whether you’re trying to support digestion, balance blood sugar, stay fuller longer, or just feel GOOD in your body through the holidays, this Fiber Advent Calendar is going to be your daily dose of nourishment, but in a festive way. Did I mention that most of the fiber sources I chose are seasonal to the month of December?

*A reminder: When you eat foods that are naturally in season, they are not only going to be fresher and tastier, but more nutritious than if they weren’t in season. We want to eat foods that aren’t traveling too long to get to us, that’s how they lose their taste and freshness. Studies show that produce picked at their peak of ripeness are going to contain more nutrients when allowed to ripen on their parent plant.

So grab your download, follow along on socials, Instagram and TikTok -- and let’s make this December the month you prioritize your gut — one delicious, fiber-filled day at a time.

Recipe #20: Caramelized Pears with Egg Nog Ice Cream

This was probably my hardest recipe to come up with for this challenge because if you believe it or not -- pears have always been my least favorite fruit. However, this Fiber Advent Calendar Challenge was the best thing that I've come up with because it forced me to get as creative as I can with different fiber sources -- even with produce I don't enjoy the most. Since I usually stay in the relatively savoury category of food, I decided to make a sweet treat using pears as the main ingredient. So, I came up with this Caramelized Pears with Egg Nog Ice Cream. Now, I'd like to flat out say that you do not have to use eggnog ice cream if you don't have it -- classic vanilla or French vanilla work great as well.

The combination of the warm caramelized pears on top of the sweet eggnog ice cream was a dream. It's the perfect sweet treat you can whip up without making a mess in your kitchen. Plus, you'll be obtaining roughly 5 grams of fiber while feeding your gut. This recipe is a win-win.

Portion: 1 cup

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 8-10 minutes

This recipe is gluten free and vegetarian.

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Ingredients

1 pear, finely chopped

½ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp maple syrup

Alden’s Eggnog Ice Cream (vanilla works too)

Crushed walnuts for garnish

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Instructions:

1. Prep pears: have pears sliced and in a saucepan, add in coconut oil. Allow to melt and add in pears. Sprinkle in cinnamon and pour in maple syrup. Stir until well incorporated and pears are softened.

2. Assemble: in a serving bowl of choice, scoop in ice cream. Pour on caramelized pears. Top with walnuts and enjoy!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I did, so if you do, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I always read through my suggestions and comments, so please let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions you can feel free to DM me here or through Instagram. Speaking of Instagram - please tag me in all of your creations! I love seeing how the recipes come out and seeing how talented you all are. Sending my love.

xoxo,

Jasmin D the RD